After 41 years of organizing the event, the town of North Elba made the decision earlier this year to discontinue the race. As word of the race cancellation reached the local running community, several individuals stepped forward to organize an effort to continue the event. With the assistance of Adirondack Health, the village of Lake Placid, the Town of North Elba, ROOST, Ad Workshop and several individuals within the community, the group was able to ensure the event would continue.

This year's 13.1-mile course was designed to expose runners to different aspects of the town and village. The start and opening four miles of the run will take place in the village, starting at the Olympic Oval outside of the Olympic Center. The remainder of the race follows the original half marathon course, with the finish taking place at the North Elba Show Grounds.

Article Photos

Brian Pelkey, right, and Matt Paul close in on the finish line of last year’s Lake Placid/North Elba Half Marathon at the North Elba Show Grounds. This year’s event on Saturday will start in the Olympic Oval and finish at the Show Grounds.(Enterprise file photo — Lou Reuter)

The race is set to begin at 9 a.m. in the Sheffield Memorial Olympic Skating Oval on Main Street. Shuttle transportation will be available for runners and spectators before the race. Parking will be available at the Horse Show grounds. The race will be followed by an awards ceremoney, raffle prizes, music and a barbecue.

The Lake Placid/North Elba Half Marathon has been an autumn staple in the Lake Placid region for four decades. Butch Martin and the North Elba Park District have organized and operated this event over the last several decades, taking over for the late Dr. Robert Lopez who, in 1970, pioneered the first Lake Placid full and half marathon race.

The first marathon began in Paul Smiths and half in Saranac Lake, with both ending in Lake Placid. Sometime later, the full marathon was eliminated and the half-marathon race was moved to begin and end at the North Elba Horse Show Grounds in Lake Placid.

All profits from the event will be dontated to youth organizations in the region.